Original article
Weight Stereotypes and Behavioral Intentions toward Thin and Fat Peers among White and Hispanic Adolescents

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.01.013Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined weight stereotypes among White and Hispanic youth. Specific objectives were to: (a) document stereotyped beliefs about fat vs. thin peers; (b) examine the extent to which stereotyped beliefs contribute to behavioral intentions toward fat vs. thin peers; and (c) explore potential differences in weight stereotypes and behavioral intentions in White and Hispanic youth.

Methods

Participants, 157 Hispanic and 117 White middle school students, completed a demographic and background survey, the Fat Stereotypes Questionnaire (FSQ), Adjective Checklist, and Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ).

Results

Participants endorsed weight-related stereotypes, which were predictive of their social, academic, and recreation behavioral intentions. Participants indicated greater willingness to engage in social (p < .001), academic (p < .05), and recreational (p < .001) activities with thin vs. fat peers. Few differences were found between White and Hispanic adolescents.

Conclusions

The results of this study highlight the ubiquitous nature of stereotyped beliefs about fat youth. Fat youth are considered unhealthy, lazy, and socially inept by their peers. Such stereotypes influence a variety of behavioral intentions and may contribute to discriminatory behaviors and difficult peer relationships. Additional research focused on weight stereotypes and peer relationships is needed.

Section snippets

Participants

Participants were 155 male (56.6%) and 119 female (43.4%) middle school physical education students in a major metropolitan public school district located in the southern United States. Students ranged in age from 11 to 16 years (M = 13.21, SD = .94) and were in grades six (15.8%), seven (44.3%), and eight (39.9%). Over half of the participants identified themselves as Hispanic (n = 157, 57.3%) and 42.7% (n = 115) identified themselves as Caucasian.

Measures

As part of a larger study, participants

Characteristics of sample

Self-reported height (inches) and weight (pounds) were converted to metric units and used to calculate BMI. Male and female participants had average BMIs of 20.91 kg/m2 (SD = 4.24) and 21.95 kg/m2 (SD = 5.23), respectively. Caucasian participants had an average BMI of 20.69 kg/m2 (SD = 4.66) and Hispanic participants 21.96 kg/m2 (SD = 4.92). Most participants (72.5%) had BMI values with a “normal” weight range; 10% were classified as “at-risk,” 7.5% as “overweight,” and 10% as “underweight” (as

Discussion

The purpose of this study was to examine stereotypes of fat and thin peers and how those stereotypes relate to intentions to engage in a variety of academic, social and recreational activities with peers. Consistent with previous research [5], [6], [7], the participants in this study endorsed negative stereotypes of targets presented as fat and positive stereotypes of targets presented as thin. Regardless of the participants’ ethnicity or gender, peers presented as fat were stigmatized.

Acknowledgment

The data presented in this article are part of a larger study exploring weight beliefs and physical activity among middle school physical education students. Appreciation is extended to Georgi Roberts and the PE teachers and students for their participation in this project and to Yvonne Liebig and Chelsie Rowell for entering the data.

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